McCormick United Methodist Church has temporarily suspended in-house services and is canceling or postponing gatherings and events in response to coronavirus concerns.

Everyone is encouraged to remain at home and follow all health precautions.

________________________________

Worship – April 26, 2020

Worship – April 19, 2020

Worship – Easter – April 12, 2020

________________________________

OFFERINGSWhile in-person services are suspended and the church office is closed, please consider giving by sending your check to the church office. This will allow the church to continue to pay its expenses. Our mailing address is:McCormick United Methodist ChurchP.O. Box 267McCormick SC 29835

________________________________

The Resurrection Changes Everything

Rev. Brett Blair, a United Methodist Pastor, wrote this story about someone you know. I share it with you as I could not have written this story any better than Rev. Blair. -Nels

There’s a story about a young boy named Walter Elias. Born in the city, his parents one day moved out to the country to become farmers. Walter had a vivid imagination and the farm was the perfect place for a young boy and a wondering mind. One day, in the apple orchard, he was amazed when he saw an owl sitting on a branch of one of the apple trees. He just stood there and stared at the owl. He thought about what his father had told him about owls: owls always rested during the day because they hunted throughout the night. This owl was asleep. He also thought that this owl might make a great pet.

Being careful not to make any noises he stepped over sticks and leaves. The owl was in a deep sleep because it never heard Walter Elias walking toward it. Finally, standing under the owl, he reached up and grabbed the owl by the legs.

Now, the events that followed are difficult to explain. Suddenly everything was utter chaos. The owl came to life. Walter’s thoughts about keeping the bird as a pet were quickly forgotten. The air filled with wings, and feathers, and screaming. In the excitement Walter held the legs tighter. And in his panic, Walter Elias, still holding on to the owl, threw it to the ground and stomped it to death. After things calmed down, Walter looked at the now dead and bloody bird and began to cry. He ran back to the farm, obtained a shovel, and buried the owl in the orchard.

At night he would dream of that owl. As the years passed he never got over what had happened that summer day. Deep down it affected him for the rest of his life. As an older man he said he never, ever killed anything again.

Do you see it?

Something significant happened after that event. Something that Walter didn’t miss. Something which transformed Walter Elias, something that redeemed him from the pit of despair, something that resurrected him, something that made Walter Elias Disney give life to thousands of animals on the big screen.

The resurrection changes everything. It transforms us. It moves us from despair to new possibilities of life. It takes us in our blindness and opens our eyes. It transforms ordinary bread into a holy meal. It takes two sad and lost brothers on the road to Emmaus who had lost the only the world they knew and gives it back to them.

Jesus comes to them and says see I am not dead. I am alive. Now tell the world.

Does the resurrection change everything here in McCormick? I think so!

Since this Covid-19 (coronavirus) has forced us into social distancing, the phase “the church is not a building but a people” has become more obvious to me than ever.

Here are some interesting facts: Did you know that hits on our web site videos have been more than our worship attendance? Did you know that most all our members have continued to give so our ministry moves forward without pause? Did you know that our leaders are still at work tending to the daily affairs of the Church? Did you know that our BLAST, webpage, front sign and other modes of outreach and communication are still at work? Did you know our care teams are sending cards and making calls to others daily? Did you know your Pastor sends email updates to Church Council and Care team members daily regarding our sick and shut-ins? Did you know if you let us know you are in need, the Church will still respond with love, prayer and care? Today I received an email from our Bishop encouraging us to avoid physical gathers until May 20. So for another month we will operate using technology and other means to continue our ministry.

If you know of anyone that needs a call, care or words of encouragement let us know.

Our Church people are serving God more than ever. Get on your computer. Make that phone call. Send that card. Buy that lunch. Watch our services. Mail in your gifts to God. Help us offer the hope in Christ we all need to win this battle against coronavirus.

When the people of God pray, the power of God sustains us. We are the Church!

Nels

________________________________

ACTS OF KINDNESS

Kindness Update Looking for God is what we have been doing as we seek to find and spread kindness. In Pastor Nels’ message on April 26, he told the story of the young boy and elderly lady in the park who found God in each other as they shared smiles and the boy’s Twinkies and root beer. How did this happen? They both werelooking for God!

In anticipation of Pay It Forward Day (April 28), you will find that the kindness entries submitted over the last week give good examples of kindness paid forward. Hopefully, our Kindness Update next week will be filled with many more entries of our paying it forward on this special day!

I made phone calls to a couple of mentally challenged ladies who live alone to be sure they were ok during our current pandemic. My faith was strengthened to realize how strong their faiths are!

At the post office this morning, a kind stranger opened the door for me. When I thanked him, he replied “Remember God loves you and He is with you”. I responded with an “Amen”! His message sounds like a good one to “pay forward” to others on Pay It Forward Day or on any and every day!

I had been given a baby afghan blanket to “finish” by a widower who found it in his departed wife’s projects. He wanted to give it to a relative who was about to give birth. It didn’t really need much work … except to redo the ‘casting off’ row which was too tight. That was a task beyond me (VERY small needles needed!) but I called a friend who knits. She said — bring it to me and I will redo it for you! She did … and sewed the “Made by …” tag on it too. Now the afghan is done and the widower can give it to that family member as a special gift from his departed wife. Such a kind thing she did for me. Thank you, God, for friends with talented, willing hands.

Have you seen God today? If you see God at work this week, there are two ways you can share what you saw!

1) Be a blessing to others by sharing your Act of Kindness (no names please) on our website, or use this link! Then check back each week to learn how others are passing on acts of kindness! The link is https://www.mccormickumc.org/acts-of-kindness

2) There is a Kindness box in the library on the window sill, along with paper and pencil. Share your God-Wink, perhaps someone else will be inspired!

________________________________

MAY MEN n MINISTRY MEETING CANCELLED

We are going to cancel our scheduled May 5, 2020 meeting. Larger close gatherings may still not be a wise choice. I have rescheduled the final spring meeting to June 2, 2020.

Our speaker has been notified and will speak at our June meeting. Get outside in the fresh air, keep your distances, God bless.

Bob Rennie

________________________________

SHREDDING AND DRUG TAKE BACK DAYCHANGED TO JUNE 6, 9AM TO 2PMMUMC CHURCH PARKING LOTDue to the COVID19 and the shelter in place recommendations made by all of our government officials, Shred Day and Prescription Take Back Day have been rescheduled to June 6, 2020.

Sorry for any inconvenience this might cause but we want everyone to remain safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.